Let the crew over here at MonsterVine take the hard part out of figuring out what gift to get that particularly picky person. We’ve got it covered here from the latest hardware, to fun games for the holidays!
CHEERFUL ACCESSORIES
NTENSE Extreme Riser Gaming Desk – $299 [Diego]
If you’re looking for a desk that’s both stylish, and affordable then I might have the one for you. The desk itself is made of a sturdy medium density fiberboard, and let me tell you, this thing is heavy. It’s got a clean minimalist look to it, with a mix of the painted wood and metal pieces that combine nicely. Features wise, the desk is fairly scarce with only your basic cupholder and headphone hook, along with a two port USB dock. It does feature a hidden cable management shelf behind the desk, which is a clever way to hide those cables, but I do wish it had some cable holes on the desk table itself. I do however love the fact that it has a raised shelf for your monitor. I’ve never been big on desks that are single flat tables, as I like having my monitor and keyboard on separate levels so I can freely work on a clear space if need be, so having a riser to elevate my monitor is a very welcomed addition. Also, don’t let the “gaming” in the title turn you away, it actually only has a single LED strip under the riser. It helps add a bit of flair to the desk, without diving headfirst into that obnoxious “gamer” aesthetic. NTENSE’s Extreme Riser Gaming Desk offers a great balance of price and looks, without skimping on any of the stuff you’d want from a quality desk. Read the full review here. Read the full review here
Ara AKG Condenser Mic – $100 [Austin]
If perhaps the Lyra is a bit out of budget, and has too many features that you might not be using, AKG also has a more affordable microphone with the same rich and crisp capture possibilities without a bunch of extra patterns and features that you won’t be utilized for most scenarios. Still featuring two cardioid patterns (front and front & back) and a USB-C connection port, the Ara saves on cost without compromising on quality. A great microphone to upgrade to from a cheap headset mic, perfect for chatting on discord, recording podcasts online and streaming to your audience. Read the full review here
JOYFUL GAMES
Sonic Colors – $40 [Austin]
Sonic games have a deservedly bad reputation, but every so often one makes it out that is worth checking out. First released in 2010 for Wii, Sonic Colors would have been easy to miss. However with critical praise and a bit of a cult following Sega saw value in re-releasing the game to a whole new audience. It’s not just ‘good for a Sonic game’ it’s actually a pleasant experience, perfect for a holiday distraction. Read the full review here
Guardians of the Galaxy – $60 [Spencer]
Thanks to Square Enix, I got to play Guardians of the Galaxy before the year was out, and boy am I ever glad I did. The team is charismatic, the writing is a joy to listen to, the voice acting is excellent, and flying around as Star-Lord is a blast.
As someone who loves Marvel comics and films, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this iteration of the Guardians was inspired by both mediums, creating a new and exciting version of the team. The story is rather emotional, giving both franchise fans and newcomers a wholly new and beginner-friendly story that I can’t wait to see continued. Using teamwork throughout gameplay to have the team take down giant aliens while 80’s music blares out of your speakers is truly THE Guardians of the Galaxy experience, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’ve got a Marvel or sci-fi fan in the family, this is the perfect holiday gift for them. Read the full review here
Life is Strange: True Colors – $60 [Will]
Life is Strange: True Colors is the perfect gift for someone who simply enjoys narrative video games. Following the story of Alex Chen, a young protagonist who can experience the emotions of others, comes to the small town of Haven Springs to solve the mystery behind her brother’s death.
Nick Mangiarcina said, “Deck Nine manages to take Life is Strange’s classic signatures of indie music, small-town mysteries, and teenage angst and elevate it from the original creation.”
While the game can be easily finished in 6 hours, it’s an engrossing story from start to finish as you learn the backstories and even participate in a town LARP (live action role playing). I highly recommend checking out Alex’s journey and taking in the excellent musical catalog of indie, alternative music that awaits.
